Mr AP is 28 years old and has lived in North Wales for around 6 years. He last worked 10 years ago at a garden centre in Wolverhampton. Mr AP has expressed that he has social anxiety issues and is lacking confidence so would be happy to volunteer to build up his self-esteem and interpersonal skills.
When living back in the West Midlands he completed Horticulture Level 1 & 2, and completed work experience whilst at college in Wolverhampton in a garden centre and on a golf course as a green keeper. Mr AP loves to repair and maintain petrol lawnmowers, and spends his spare time in his shed doing this. He also runs his own YouTube channel on how to repair and maintain lawnmowers. The channel has over 320 followers.
When Tom became Mr AP’s mentor, Mr AP was open about his anxiety and not having worked for 10 years. Tom listened to Mr AP and one of his requests was to do a Brushcutter / Strimmer course, so he could then begin to think about working either as a gardener, or in a similar capacity. Mr AP was booked on to the City & Guilds Safe Use Of A Brushcutter / Strimmer course at Llysfasi college. Communities For Work Plus paid for a taxi to get him to the college for the course (as Mr AP does not drive). He successfully passed the course.
Tom discussed with Mr AP about him possibly doing some work experience, and Tom was made aware via Work Start of a placement with Lyon’s Robin Hood holiday park in Rhyl. Tom and Mr AP met at Robin Hood and then met with Lorraine from Lyon’s (who is their HR person). Lorraine, Mr AP and Tom had a good chat about what he could do at Lyon’s, and when Mr AP mentioned he lived in St Asaph, Lorraine said they need a gardener / grounds person at their Eryl Hall holiday park just outside the area. Mr AP was very keen to do this, so it was agreed that he would start 4 weeks of unpaid work experience there over 3 full days.
The first week of his work placement was a bit of a struggle for Mr AP as he found the adjustment to working quite tough going, but Lyon’s (and Lorraine) were amazing as they allowed Mr AP to do 3 days (every other day) from 9am-1pm. Mr AP was able to do this and it improved his confidence and well-being. Mr AP completed the 4 weeks of experience and also agreed to do a few more weeks in addition to what he had already completed. On June 15th, Hannah from Work Start informed Tom that Lyons have agreed to keep Mr AP on in a paid capacity, permanent for 24 hours a week, working Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
So, in just few months Mr AP has gone from not having worked for 10 years, he has bagged himself a permanent job at the holiday park which is in a lovely location not far from his home. He is working alongside a supervisor called Craig who even offers to pick him up in the mornings and it is 3 days a week which Mr AP can manage.